NCDs account for 61% deaths in India, says WHO report

LUCKNOW: As non communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 61% of deaths in India, the National Health Mission (NHM), along with the state government and Project HOPE by Eli Lilly and Company India Pvt Ltd, convened a regional consultation to address the ‘Implementation Challenges in Non-Communicable Diseases’ in the state.

The main aim of the consultation programme was to bring together representatives from government, national and international NGOs, civil societies, policy and program implementers and private sectors to share their ideas about addressing the operational challenges in implementation of NCD programs.

“The CMOs and medical officers of different districts also identified the challenges faced and talked about their solutions,” said Dr Laxmikant Palo, regional director, South-East Asia, Project HOPE.

He said that the medical officers felt a need for harmonized effort and community communication on NCDs besides a team based training at district and

EXPERT SAYS THAT NCDS CONSTITUTE A MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGE WHICH IMPACTS SOCIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA

sub-district levels.

There was also a need to fill the gaps in human resource across levels, he said and added that standard screening, treatment and monitoring protocols were also needed.

“The state has to increase financial resources and ensure its regular supply for NCD program implementation. Rationalization of health functionaries across levels also needs to done,” said Palo.

He added that the recommendations would be sent to the state government, so that a policy could be formulated to combat the challenges to control NCDs.

According to a WHO report releases in September, NCDs account for 61% of deaths in India, said Palo. He added the non-communicable diseases primarily cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, cancers and diabetes- constitute a major public health challenge, impacting both the social and economic development of India with substantial human costs.

The consultation called on the central and state governments, along with other partners, to take forward the agenda for NCD action.